The video of Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on social media, mocking detained Gaza flotilla activists, has sparked outrage from the governments of several European countries and representatives of the Israeli leadership, LETA reports citing DPA.
In a video posted on Wednesday on platform X, Ben-Gvir, along with a group of supporters, waves an Israeli flag and mocks the activists of the "Gaza Sumud Flotilla," who are kneeling in handcuffs in the Israeli port city of Ashdod.
"Welcome to Israel, here we are the masters," Ben-Gvir shouts in the published recording.
ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 20, 2026
Welcome to Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC
This week, Israeli authorities stopped the flotilla, transferred 430 activists to Israeli vessels, and on Wednesday brought them to Ashdod.
The foreign ministries of Italy and France summoned Israeli ambassadors in their countries in response to Ben-Gvir's video, while the Greek government condemned his behavior and expressed an official protest to Israel.
"What is seen in the video of Minister Ben-Gvir is completely unacceptable and contradicts any foundations of protecting human dignity," wrote Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on X.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on X that "it is unacceptable to treat these demonstrators this way, including many citizens of Italy, violating human dignity." She demanded an apology and "official explanations of what happened."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reported that the Israeli ambassador to France was summoned to express France's outrage and demand explanations for Ben-Gvir's actions. According to him, French participants in this flotilla "must be treated with respect and released as soon as possible."
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar distanced himself from Ben-Gvir's actions.
"You have deliberately harmed our country with this undignified display — and this is not the first time," Saar wrote on X, adding that Ben-Gvir "is not the face of Israel."
Shortly after, the Israeli Foreign Ministry published photos under the headline "Here are our values," showing Israeli police giving water to detained activists and talking to them.
These are our values. pic.twitter.com/HR9iUlKBvV
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 20, 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Ben-Gvir's behavior towards the activists does not reflect the values and norms of Israel. At the same time, he emphasized that Israel has the right to "prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza." Netanyahu reported that he instructed the relevant authorities to expel these activists as soon as possible.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called Ben-Gvir's actions "completely unacceptable" and stated that they contradict the values that Germany and Israel strive to uphold together.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that he saw the "horrific" and "inhumane" video in which the Israeli minister and police humiliate the flotilla participants. Spain summoned the Israeli chargé d'affaires in Madrid and demanded the immediate release of the activists and public apologies. Portugal also summoned the Israeli ambassador.
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the actions shown in the video violate "fundamental standards of respect and dignity."
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen reported that he contacted Saar regarding this incident. The head of Belgium's foreign ministry, Maxime Prévot, called what he saw in the video deeply troubling.
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